This MedLibrary.org supplementary page on Andrews AFB is provided directly from the open source Wikipedia as a service to our readers. Please see the note below on authorship of this content, as well as the Wikipedia usage guidelines. To search for other content from our encyclopedia supplement, please use the form below:
Related Sponsors
| Andrews Air Force Base
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| IATA: ADW – ICAO: KADW – FAA: ADW | |||
| Summary | |||
| Airport type | Miliary: Air Force Base | ||
| Owner | United States Air Force | ||
| Location | Camp Springs, Maryland | ||
| Built | 1945 | ||
| In use | 1945-Present | ||
| Commander | Col. Steven M. Shepro | ||
| Elevation AMSL | 280 ft / 85 m | ||
| Coordinates | |||
| Website | |||
| Runways | |||
| Direction | Length | Surface | |
| ft | m | ||
| 01L/19R | 9,300 | 2,835 | Concrete |
| 01R/19L | 9,755 | 2,973 | Asphalt/Concrete |
| Sources: official site1 and FAA2 | |||
Andrews Air Force Base (IATA: ADW, ICAO: KADW, FAA LID: ADW) is a United States Air Force base in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States, eight miles east of Washington, D.C..
The 4,320-acre base hosts more than 20,000 active duty military people, civilian employees and family members. Andrews' current mission is that of emergency reaction and contingency response capabilities critical to national security, and support for Air and Space Expeditionary Forces.
Contents |
Units
Andrews Air Force Base is home to Air Force District of Washington's 316th Wing -- the base's host wing -- with several partner units on base including Air Mobility Command's 89th Airlift Wing, the Air Force Office of Special Investigations headquarters, Air Force Reserve Command's 459th Air Refueling Wing, D.C. Air National Guard's 113th Wing, the Naval Air Facility, and Army and Marine Corps detachments.
- 316th Wing (316 WG)
- The 316th Wing is responsible for maintaining emergency reaction rotary-wing airlift and other National Capital Region contingency response capabilities critical to national security, and for organizing, training, equipping and deploying combat-ready forces for Air and Space Expeditionary Forces (AEFs). The wing also provides installation security, services and airfield management to support the President, Vice President, other U.S. senior leaders and more than 50 tenant organizations and federal agencies.
- 89th Airlift Wing (89 AW) (AMC)
- The 89th Airlift Wing is responsible for worldwide special air mission airlift, logistics and communications support for the President, Vice President and other U.S. senior leaders. Air Force One is assigned to the 89th AW.
- Air Force District of Washington
- The Air Force District of Washington (AFDW) is composed of three wings and one group. The 11th Wing at Bolling Air Force Base, and the 79th Medical Wing and 316th Wing at Andrews Air Force Base. Also under AFDW is the 844th Communications Group. The 79th Medical Wing and 844th Communications Group both have specialized missions where they will be the single Air Force voice in the National Capital Region (NCR) for their respective fields of expertise. Both the 11th and 316th Wings will fulfill duties as the host base organization of Bolling and Andrews, respectively, while also supporting AFDW requirements
- 79th Medical Wing
- The 79th Medical Wing is the Air Force's single medical voice for planning and implementing Air Force and joint medical solutions within the National Capital Region (NCR). Activated on May 10, 2006, it is the largest wing within the Air Force District of Washington and only the second medical wing in the Air Force.
- Tenant Units
|
|
Aircraft
|
|
History
Opened on 2 May 1943, the base was originally known as Camp Springs Army Air Base. It was renamed to Andrews Field on 7 February 1945 in honor of Lt. General Frank Maxwell Andrews (1884-1943). General Andrews organized and commanded the General Headquarters, Air Force (1935-1939), and at the time of his death on 3 May 1943 in the crash of a B-24 Liberator in Iceland, he was Commanding General, United States Forces, European Theater of Operations.
Major Commands to which assigned
|
|
Major Units assigned
|
|
References for history introduction, major commands and major units3
Operational History
The military history of Andrews AFB began in the 1850's during the Civil War when Union troops occupied a small country church near Camp Springs, Maryland, as sleeping quarters. At present, the same church is used on the base and is known as Chapel Two.
Established first as Camp Springs Army Air Field, Andrews' history began Aug. 25, 1941, the day President Franklin D. Roosevelt wrote a letter to the secretary of war directing the use of the land on which the base now stands. Located 10 miles southeast of Washington, D.C., in Prince George's County, Md., the base was under construction during the remainder of 1942 and became operational 2 May 1943, with the arrival of the first Republic P-47 Thunderbolt.
Four 5,500-foot runways constructed by 1943; field then served mainly as Army Air Forces Headquarters base with secondary missions for fighter and bomber training. Developed as a B-25 Mitchell medium bomber training base during the Korean War. HQ Air Research and Development Command (later, Air Force Systems Command) moved to Andrews from Baltimore, 24 Jun 1958. With the construction of new facilities beginning in 1959, Andrews AFB had become by early 1962 the primary USAF flight installation serving the Washington, DC, area with the closing of the runway at Bolling AFB.
With the establishment of the United States Air Force as a separate military service on 18 Sep 1947, the name was modified to its present form, Andrews AFB. Serving largely as a headquarters base in a curtailed operational capacity during the post-World War II years, Andrews has been the home of the Continental Air Command, Strategic Air Command and the Military Air Transport Service. Headquarters Command held command reins at Andrews from 1947 through 1952 and again after 1957. Headquarters Military Air Transport Service controlled the base during the interim period.
The year 1947 marked the arrival of the first permanently assigned jet powered aircraft, the F-80 Shooting Star, at Andrews. The long-lived and versatile training version of the F-80, the T-33, still played an important role in proficiency flying programs at Andrews more than 30 years later.
With the onset of the Korean War in June 1950, Andrews rapidly became involved in combat readiness training for B-25 Mitchell medium bomber crews. Combat readiness training and proficiency flying for military pilots assigned non-flying duties in the Washington area have remained two key elements in the local mission since the establishment of the base.
Andrews' air defense role was strengthened in the 1950s with the latest in fighter-interceptor hardware appearing on the flightline. F-94 Starfires, F-102 Delta Daggers and finally, F-106 Delta Darts formed the backbone of the three fighter interceptor squadrons which operated from the base until 1963.
In the late 1950s Andrews began an annual open house and air show on base. This event later evolved into the Department of Defense Joint Services Open House, an annual event that now brings more than 700,000 visitors to the base every year. The open house is held every year over Armed Forces Day weekend.
In the years since 1959, Andrews' flight operations and importance have increased greatly. In 1961, the last of the Military Air Transport Service's flying units at Washington National Airport transferred to Andrews. This was followed a year later by the transfer to Andrews of all fixed-wing flying activities from Bolling Air Force Base. Andrews has become firmly established as the main port of entry for foreign military and government officials en route to Washington and the United States. In July, 1961, Andrews became the home of the official presidential aircraft, known as "Air Force One" when the president is on board. Before 1961, the presidential airplane had been kept at Washington National Airport and Bolling AFB.
In 1963, the Naval Air Facility (NAF), originally established at Anacostia in 1919, moved to Andrews. The NAF handles Naval VIP flight operations and is home for a Marine Corps detachment that flies the FA-18 Hornet. Coast Guard Air Station Washington DC occupies space at Andrews AFB. Andrews AFB has evolved to become one of the most modern bases in the Air Force.
A tragic time for Andrews AFB occurred on 22 Nov 1963, when the 35th president of the United States was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. The body of John F. Kennedy arrived at Andrews at 6:08 p.m. the same evening, accompanied by his widow Jacqueline B. Kennedy, newly sworn in President Lyndon B. Johnson and his wife Ladybird. The air terminal was jammed with thousands of people, including the largest gathering of news media representatives ever assembled at any time on Andrews AFB. Since that time, Andrews has seen the arrival of other fallen leaders, but no other death has caused such national attention.
In February 1973, Andrews was the scene of joyful reunions as U.S. prisoners of war began returning to the United States from Vietnam.
In a major reorganization, Headquarters Command, U.S. Air Force, was disbanded 1 July 1976, restructured under the Military Airlift Command as the 76th Airlift Division and transferred its headquarters from Bolling AFB to Andrews. The 76th remained the parent unit of the Andrews host command, redesignated as the 1st Air Base Wing.
In October 1977, the 76th Airlift Division became the 76th Military Airlift Wing. The 1st Air Base Wing was redesignated the 76th Air Base Group, and the 89th Military Airlift Wing became the 89th Military Airlift Group. The 76th MAW remained the parent unit at Andrews.
In October 1979, Pope John Paul II was greeted by thousands of well wishers at Andrews when he arrived for a visit to Washington, D.C., at the end of his historic tour of the United States.
That same year, Andrews saw such historic events as the arrival and departure of the vice premier of the People's Republic of China, Deng Xiao Ping; a visit by the prime minister of England, Margaret Thatcher; and trips by the prime minister of Israel, Menachem Begin, and the late president of the Republic of Egypt, Anwar Sadat.
On 15 Dec 1980, the 76th Airlift Division was reestablished, the 76th Air Base Group became the 1776th Air Base Wing and the 89th Military Airlift Group became the 89th Military Airlift Wing.
In 1981, the people of Andrews witnessed the inauguration of Ronald Reagan and the return of the U.S. hostages from Iran.
On 1 Oct 1985, the 76th Airlift Division was inactivated as the result of activation of the Headquarters Air Force District of Washington at Bolling AFB. The 1776th Air Base Wing was designated the "host wing" for Andrews AFB and assumed base support responsibilities.
In 1985, the Andrews flightline again captured the nation's attention with the return of TWA Flight 847 hostages from Beirut, and the arrival of such dignitaries as the Soviet foreign minister, Britain's Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales. By the close of 1987, all eyes were centered on Andrews when General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev of the Soviet Union arrived for a summit visit with President Ronald Reagan.
Andrews hosted the farewell to President Reagan at the end of his tenure and a welcome to President Bush prior to his inauguration. It hosted the Congressional Budget Summit in 1990 and Air Force Stealth Week in 1991. It was also a key arrival and departure point for troops, diplomats and refugees throughout Desert Shield/Storm and even hosted a live television special honoring the men and women of the armed services. The base also provided ample support for the National Victory Day parades in Washington, D.C., and New York in honor of the troops.
During Operation DESERT STORM, Andrews handled 16,540 patients in makeshift hospital facilities located in the base tennis center.
On 12 July 1991, the 89th Military Airlift Wing was redesignated as the 89th Airlift Wing and assumed duties as the host wing at Andrews AFB. Support functions previously performed by the 1776th Air Base Wing now fall under the 89th and the 1776th was inactivated. With the consolidation of the two wings, the newly formed 89th Airlift Wing is one of the largest wings in Air Mobility Command with a work force approaching 9,000 people.
Since the 89th became the host wing, the base has seen arrivals and departures of Russian President Boris Yeltsin, British Prime Minister John Major, Israeli delegations and many others. Thousands gathered at the Andrews flightline to bid farewell to President Bush at the end of his tenure and welcome President Clinton in 1992. And in 1993, the base witnessed deployments to and return of troops from Somalia and several humanitarian relief efforts.
In April of 1994, the 89th was in the spotlight as a crew flew aircraft 27000 to pick up former President Nixon's body and transport it to California for his funeral. Aircraft 27000 was the aircraft that Nixon flew on as Air Force One during his tenure.
Sept. 17, 1994, the world watched on as the 89th flew a delegation of former President Carter, Senator Sam Nunn and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Colin Powell to Haiti for talks with military Haitian leader Lieutenant General Raoul Cedras in a last attempt to restore Jean Bertrand Aristide to power.
December 1994, the 1st Airlift Squadron brought freed North Korean hostage, Army helicopter pilot, Chief Warrant Officer Bobby Hall home. July 11, 1995, Capt. Scott F. O'Grady first stepped foot on American soil at Andrews after his F-16 was shot down over Bosnia. In March 1996, the 1st Helicopter Squadron earned the Maintenance Effectiveness Award for flying more than 175,000 safe flying hours. June 17, 1996, C-137 number 58-6970 , the first jet aircraft used by Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy, was retired from the Air Force and flown to the Museum of Flight in Seattle for display.
The flightline and its aircraft are only one facet of life at Andrews. In February 1997, Andrews served as the backdrop for a memorial service when the remains of Ambassador Pamela Harriman were returned to the United States.
And more recently, in May of 1998, C-137 tail number 26000, left the wing for retirement at the Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. That aircraft carried President Kennedy to Dallas on the day he was shot and returned his body to Andrews later that evening. President Johnson took his oath of office on board the airplane, which also carried President Nixon to China on his famous "journey for peace."
On Aug. 13, 1998 Andrews hosted a memorial service for the return of 10 Americans killed in the bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Kenya. President Clinton, Secretary of State, Madeline Albright and Secretary of Defense, William Cohen eulogized the victims. During 1998, two new aircraft entered the 89th Airlift Wing inventory. Four C-32A aircraft and two C-37As came into active service as a replacement for the aging C-37s.
Known as "The President's Wing," the 89th Airlift Wing continues to contribute to Andrews' rich history as the elite Air Mobility Command wing for transporting VIPs around the world. Not only does Andrews provide service for America's senior officials, but also kings, queens, presidents, prime ministers, popes, and local and foreign military leaders make Andrews AFB their first stop in the United States.
On 5 January 2005 the Air Force reactivated the Air Force District of Washington (AFDW) as the single Air Force voice for planning and implementing Air Force and joint solutions within the National Capital Region (NCR). This event brought with it significant changes at Andrews. On 12 May 2006, the 89th Medical Group at Andrews and the 11th Medical Group, Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C. combined into the 79th Medical Wing where it established its headquarters at Andrews. In June 2006, the 316th Wing stood up under the command of AFDW as the new host unit for Andrews Air Force Base and its nearly 50 tenant units to include organizations from the Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, Civil Air Patrol, and the United States Navy. The activation of the 316th prompted the transfer of the 1st Helicopter Squadron from the 89th Airlift Wing to the 316th Operations Group. Finally, in May of 2007 the AFDW, as well as the 844th Communications Group, transferred from Bolling AFB to Andrews.
Receiving much more publicity are the significant events recently occurring here including the annual Joint Service Open House aerial and ground demonstrations, and the reception of Pope Benedict XVI by President Bush. This event on 15 April 2008 marked the first time a U.S. President has traveled to Andrews to meet a head of state since September 1959 when President Dwight D. Eisenhower greeted Soviet Premier Nikita S. Khrushchev. Premier Khrushchev was also the first foreign head of state to fly into Andrews. These major developments and events add to Andrews AFB's already dynamic and critical part it plays in the defense of our nation as it constantly evolves from the muddy fields and wooden buildings of the 1940s, to become one of the most modern air bases in the world, and solidifying itself as "The Gateway to the Capital."
source for history4
Geography
Andrews Air Force Base is located at (38.803490, -76.871508),5 a few miles southeast of Washington, D.C. near the town of Morningside. According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 6.8 sq mi (17.7 km²), all land. There are two runways on the base; the western runway is 11,300 ft (3,440 m) in length, and the eastern runway is 11,700 ft (3,570 m) in length.
Demographics
As of the census6 of 2000, there were 7,925 people, 1,932 households, and 1,864 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,158.9 people per square mile (447.3/km²). There were 2,133 housing units at an average density of 311.9 sq mi (120.4/km²). The racial makeup of the base was 65.30% White, 22.78% African American, 0.64% Native American, 3.17% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 3.65% from other races, and 4.35% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.72% of the population.
There were 1,932 households out of which 75.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 86.1% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 3.5% were non-families. 3.2% of all households were made up of individuals, none of whom was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.39 and the average family size was 3.44.
In the CDP the population is spread out with 35.0% under the age of 18, 16.3% from 18 to 24, 44.9% from 25 to 44, 3.6% from 45 to 64, and 0.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24 years. For every 100 females there were 119.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 126.0 males.
The median income for a household in the base was $44,310, and the median income for a family was $42,866. Males had a median income of $27,070 versus $27,308 for females. The per capita income for the base was $16,520. About 2.6% of families and 2.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including of the total population, 2.8% of those under the age of 18 and none of those 65 and older.
Popular culture
- In the film Independence Day, Air Force One narrowly escapes destruction as Washington DC and the airbase are engulfed in flame from an alien attack.
- In the film The Kingdom, A FBI team departs from Andrews AFB to investigate a car bombing in Saudi Arabia.
See also
References
 |
This article incorporates text from the Air Force Historical Research Agency website which, as a United States government publication, is in the public domain. |
- ^ Andrews Air Force Base, official site
- ^ FAA Airport Master Record for ADW (Form 5010 PDF), effective 2007-10-25
- ^ Mueller, Robert (1989). Volume 1: Active Air Force Bases Within the United States of America on 17 September 1982. USAF Reference Series, Office of Air Force History, United States Air Force, Washington, D.C. ISBN 0912799536; 0160022614
- ^ Fact Sheet, Andrews Air Force Base history, Office of History, 316th Airlift Wing
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
External links
- Andrews Air Force Base at GlobalSecurity.org
- Air Force District of Washington (AFDW)
- Aerial photograph of runway configuration
- FAA Airport Diagram(PDF), effective 20 November 2008
- FAA Terminal Procedures for ADW, effective 20 November 2008
- Resources for this U.S. military airport:
- AirNav airport information for KADW
- ASN accident history for ADW
- NOAA/NWS latest weather observations
- SkyVector aeronautical chart for KADW
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Andrews Air Force Base |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
